Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 768 | 3 February 2023

Light Lunch

In this issue....​​​

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Delays to HMPPS commissioning 

Clinks are aware of concerns across the sector regarding delays to HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) grant and contract awards. HMPPS have informed us that, due to additional financial governance required as part of the government’s Efficiency and Savings Review announced in the Autumn Statement; they are unable to confirm a number of the planned grant and contract outcomes and awards at the current time. Incumbent contract and grant holders who are concerned about continuity of services for grants and contracts that are being recommissioned should receive information from their grant and contract managers. Any bidders currently engaged in ongoing competitions will receive information via the e-sourcing portal where there is an impact on the planned award dates. Exact arrangements will differ on a case-by-case basis and HMPPS have confirmed to us that they are working to address outstanding issues. For all other providers under contract or grant funding arrangements there are no changes at this present time. Clinks are continuing to raise with HMPPS, as a matter of urgency, the impact of these delays on the sector and the need to ensure investment in the voluntary sector into the next financial year and beyond. If you are concerned about this please contact support@clinks.org

CLINKS NEWS: Richard Booty joins Clinks as Deputy Chief Executive

This week we welcome Richard Booty to the Clinks team as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Richard said "I’m delighted to have this opportunity to work for Clinks. It's really exciting and I am looking forward to working with Anne and the wider team to ensure that Clinks can continue to be as effective and influential in supporting, promoting and representing the voluntary sector working in criminal Justice. I worked for HM Prison and Probation Service for 34 years and most of my time was spent working in and leading prisons. During this time I saw the value of voluntary sector organisations working alongside the prison service to ensure that people received the support they needed to move on to better lives. My last three years in HMMPS was leading on coherent practical action to support people in the criminal justice system to maintain family ties and positive relationships with loved ones; together with overseeing the implementation of the Farmer Review recommendations. This involved close working relationships with the criminal justice voluntary sector. I really enjoyed working with colleagues who were from, and passionate about the role of, the voluntary sector in criminal justice and look forward to building further relationships across the sector." Click here to meet the Clinks team.

CLINKS NEWS: Stronger Voice expert seminar: Influencing officials

In February and March Clinks will be hosting a series of Stronger Voice expert seminars and a communications coffee morning. We can now confirm an additional seminar has been added to the roster of events: "Influencing officials" [21 February, 14:00 - 15:00, free]. We will hear from Stephen O’Connor; Deputy Director of Probation Policy at the Ministry of Justice, and Anna Lacey; Deputy Director Female Offenders and Health Policy at the Ministry of Justice to discuss their respective roles and explore the ways in which voluntary organisations can build and make the most of relationships with government officials. The seminar will be chaired by Anne Fox; Clinks’ Chief Executive Officer. Find out more about the Stronger Voice expert seminars on our events page or via our socials on Twitter & LinkedIn. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Effective practice in Resettlement

HM Inspectorate of Probation has published a new Academic Insight: Effective practice in Resettlement. Academic Insights are aimed at all those with an interest in the evidence base. The Inspectorate commission leading academics to present their views on specific topics, assisting with informed debate and aiding understanding of what helps and what hinders probation and youth offending services. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the policy position of HM Inspectorate of Probation. Read the latest Academic Insight.

FUNDING: Community Payback projects grant market warming event

HM Prison and Probation Service is hosting a grant market warming event [20 February, online, free] for the Community Payback projects grant scheme with a funding of £2 million over an approximate period of 18 months. The grant funding will support non-profit making organisations in delivering community payback projects that are aligned with departmental policies. Example: Having a positive impact on the environment.

The event is open to the voluntary sector, non-profit-making organisations. If you would like to attend please register your interest here. Contact probationgrants@justice.gov.uk with any questions regarding the event.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: challenges around recruiting and retaining volunteers

The APPG on Charities and Volunteering is holding a meeting [21 February, 10:00 – 11:00, Portcullis House, London, free] where they will be discussing the current challenges around recruiting and retaining volunteers. As communities struggle through the cost-of-living crisis, volunteers and volunteering opportunities are needed more than ever. Yet organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteers. What can voluntary organisations and government do to help people to volunteer, particularly those from groups that have historically been less likely to give their time? This APPG will be held in-person in Westminster. Book your place here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: support young people in Birmingham

Jonahs Project CIC would like to invite organisations that work with young people aged between 11-25 years to attend our partner events to support young people in Birmingham who receive an Outcome 22 [22 February, Oaklands Youth Centre, Birmingham, in person and 1 March, online]. We are looking for sports, mentoring, employability and any other services embedded within local communities. Follow this link to register.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: regional trauma informed network, Sheffield

Join this regional network, hosted by One Small Thing Charity, that provides an opportunity to meet and reflect with colleagues upon trauma informed work, and share insights and ideas [21 March, 14:00 – 16:30, The Circle, Sheffield, free]. The Sheffield-based Young Women’s Housing Project will share their trauma informed journey, their learning, and examples of their trauma-informed practice, plus: An overview of a trauma informed approach and how the five core values can be applied; and an opportunity to meet with others and share trauma informed practice. Book your place here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: farming, food, nutrition and brain health

This unique event [8 March, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, from £25] delivered by Think Through Nutrition and FarmED explores the profound links between the farmed environment and the soil beneath our feet, with food quality and nutrition, and our own gut health, brain health and behaviour. Kimberley Wilson, author of How to Build a Healthy Brain and Unprocessed and host of the Stronger Minds podcast, will be joining us as guest speaker, alongside Emeritus Professor of Physiology John Stein of Magdalen College, Oxford. We will also hear from Suzy Dymond-White, a former prison governor who commissioned a prison nutrition pilot at HMP Eastwood Park, and Heather – a participant in the pilot, in a panel discussion chaired by Tahani Saridar, Think Through Nutrition’s CEO. Book your place here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Understanding DBS checks, by Unlock

As charities working hard for a better, fairer criminal justice system, we all want to make sure we live our values and lead by example. Unlock will be hosting a webinar for criminal justice sector charities in understanding DBS checks, [10 March, 10:00 – 12:00, online, £20]. This event will help you understand how to include people with lived experience of the criminal justice system in your organisation, and not exclude people unnecessarily. You will also understand how to ensure you are following the law around criminal records, so you can recruit staff and volunteers safely and with confidence. Book your place here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: mental health first aider training

Become a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®) with the Counselling and Family Centre and learn how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. This two-day training [14 & 15 June, 09:00 – 17:30, Altrincham, from £125] has subsidised rates for those who are eligible. MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, but it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening.

You will learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe. You will also learn how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery or successful management of symptoms. Contact alison.hambleton@thecfc.org.uk to book your place.

PUBLICATION: family involvement in prison healthcare

Pact has today published a report setting out the importance of family involvement in prison healthcare. The report: Nobody’s Listening, finds that when families and significant others are involved in the process everyone benefits – prisoners, families, the criminal justice system and the NHS. However, it concludes that too often, they are locked out of a system that does not value their role as carers and as a source of information or support. Involving families and carers more proactively in the healthcare of their loved-ones would support efforts to save lives, reduce reoffending and relieve pressure on the healthcare and criminal justice systems. Read the report here.

PUBLICATION: Bromley briefings prison factfile 2023

The Prison Reform Trust have published their latest edition of the Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile — their flagship publication about prisons and the people in them, and an essential resource for anyone who wants to know the facts. We have had three prime ministers, two justice secretaries (one twice over), four prisons ministers and two CEOs of the prison and probation service since the last edition of this briefing. So it’s hardly surprising that this edition is not full of evidence of progress towards the ambitions set out in the Prisons Strategy White Paper published in January last year. Read the Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile here .

RESOURCE: Hardman directory 2023 now available

The Hardman Directory 2023 is packed full of 316-pages of useful information that can help people in prison plan for a fulfilling, crime-free life in the community. Copies are sent to every prison library in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Isles. Click here to find out more or order a copy.

FEATURED VACANCY: Project Coordinator

Hibiscus are keen to recruit an experienced Project Coordinator [£27,825 - £33,330, full time, London] to lead their prisons, wraparound and through-the-gate projects providing holistic, trauma-informed and gender-responsive support to women affected by, or at risk of becoming involved in, the criminal justice system. You will manage a team of project workers and volunteers and work directly with women in custody and the community, and collaboratively alongside other agencies to ensure clients are supported in line with the Hibiscus ethos and values. You will have experience delivering services or casework support to migrant or minoritised women with a range of complex needs and detailed knowledge of the UK criminal justice and/or immigration systems, and the needs of women affected by them. Find out more and apply by 17 February here.

FEATURED VACANCY: Project Worker

Hibiscus are excited to recruit a passionate, empathetic, well-organised Project Worker [£25,200 - £28,840, full time, London] to join their Community and Prisons team. The successful candidate will provide specialist through-the-gate support to migrant women being released from prison into the London area and manage a caseload of women with complex multiple needs in contact with the criminal justice system and under immigration restrictions. You will have experience of providing information, advice and advocacy on a range of matters such as immigration, welfare and employment as well as working in partnership with statutory and non-statutory organisations, and proven ability to engage and influence a range of stakeholders. Find out more and apply by 17 February here.

FEATURED VACANCY: Specialist Women's Outreach Worker

Brighton Women’s Centre (BWC) is seeking an individual with excellent skills in case management to join them as their Specialist Women’s Outreach Worker [£28,785 pro-rata, full time, Eastbourne]. You will work with women on an outreach basis to deliver an intensive, relationship-based model of support. You will drive good practice, working effectively to enhance safety, health, and well-being for the women you work with. BWC is committed to inclusion and diversity and actively encourage applications from women from a variety of backgrounds, particularly women who have personal experience of the criminal justice system, those with disabilities and those from Black or racially minoritised communities who are currently under-represented in the organisation. Find out more and apply by 6 February here.

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Clinical Supervisor with The Counselling & Family Centre [£30,000, Altrincham and or Bury, part time]; SOS+ Facilitator & Mentor (gangs/exploitation) with St Giles Trust [£25,000 - £31,000, based within 3 schools in Bedford, part time]; Education Welfare and Inclusion Supervisor with St Giles Trust [£25,000 - £28,500, Yorkshire, full time]; Senior Service Manager with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£40,000 - £48,000, based at Advance's Hammersmith office with travel around London, full time]; Head of Criminal Justice Services (Maternity Cover) with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£48,000 - £55,000, Hammersmith Head office, full time]; Accommodation Support Officer with Seetec [£23,000 - £24,801, HMP The Mount, full time]; Engagement Officer with Seetec [£20,971, Bristol, full time]; Engager Worker with Imagine Independence [£22,124, Liverpool, full time]; Head of Services with Brighton Women's Centre [£37,890, Brighton and Hove, Sussex, and Kent, part time]; IPS Employment Specialist with Imagine Independence [£23,667, Sefton, Merseyside, full time]

For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

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EXTRA INFORMATION:

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